Ron Belsterling (Ron.Belsterling@nyack.edu) was born and raised in the Pittsburgh (home of the Steelers and Penguins) area of Pennsylvania.  He met his wife Julie at Grove City College where they both attended in the early eighties. They have been married for almost 25 years and have 3, by the grace of God, saved & wonderful, children: Sam attends Grove City College and majors in Business Communications/PR, Joe is finishing High School and plays lacrosse and basketball, Emily attends High School and participates in tennis and Odyssey of the Mind. Ron is in his 2nd decade of teaching at Nyack.

 

He accepted Christ at a Billy Graham event as a child.  The seed didn't produce fruit until years later.  Near the end of highschool, Ron began reading the Bible.  During college, commitment to God became whole hearted devotion (as opposed to select bits & pieces).  God has been abundantly merciful and gracious to him.

 

Ron has attended: Grove City College (B.A.-Double Major: Religion & Psychology); Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (36 credit hours); Villanova University (M.S. in Counseling); Syracuse University (A.B.D. Child & Family Studies); and, Biola University (Ph.D. in Education).  His academic study focuses on adolescents and attachment relationships.

 

Ministry and work with teenagers and children continues to occur through regular speaking, preaching and writing opportunities, and Ron's involvement in Young Life (Tri-State YL Committee Chair, approved driver, etc.); his Church (VBS, Upwards Basketball, & 5th Quarter [post-HS football game youth gatherings]); and providing consulting to the Cross and Crown Foundation (global effort to bring water, etc..to those in depressed areas).

Len Kageler, Ph.D. (Leonard.Kageler@nyack.edu) is Professor of Youth Ministry and Christian Education as well as Department Chairman. Before coming to Nyack full time in 1993 he spent 20 years as a full time youth pastor. He continues to minister to youth as a junior high volunteer at Living Christ Church here in Nyack.

 

Len received his BA from the University of Washington, his M.Div. from the North American Baptist Seminary, and a Ph.D. (Sociology) from Fordham University in New York City. He speaks and presents seminars around North America and the world. He has written eight books: two for youth, three for parents of teenagers, and three for youth workers. You can get more info on The Youth Ministry Survival Guide (Zondervan/Youth Specialties) or This Way to Youth Ministry (Zondervan/Youth Specialties) from Amazon.com.

In 2009-2010  Len is a seminar presenter at the Canadian National Youth Workers Convention (December) and will give lectures in March in the United Kingdom at Moorlands College,  Cambridge University, and the University of Glasgow.  In Summer 2010 he and Janet will move to The Netherlands for five weeks of seminars and ministry with Atlantic Bridge.    His 2009-2010 research projects include  Feminism and the Female Religious Youth Worker, The Youth Ministry Volunteer:  The Untold Story, and Youth Ministry Graduates: A Longitudinal Study.

 

Len is married to Janet and has three daughters. He is a serious runner and loves to backpack and ski.